This hedgerow is a boundary hedge for the
Thistle Foundation. It is mostly Hawthorn and Wild Privet, with Elder and
Elm, and some Snowberry at the Castlebrae end.

Hawthorn is also known as ‘May’.
It was once considered so sacred that to use any part of it was forbidden, and
some people still consider it unlucky to bring Hawthorn blossom into the house
today.

Despite this, the flowers and leaves were used medicinally to soothe sore
throats. Hawthorn supports over 140 insect species. Many of these eat the leaves
(look out for ‘leaf miner’ tunnels on the leaves), and bees and other
pollinators are attracted to the flowers. These come out around May time, hence
the alternative name. The berries come out in the autumn and are vitally
important for birds in the winter, as they remain on the bush long after most
other hedgerow berries have gone. These are eaten by Redwings, Fieldfares,
Songthrushes and Blackbirds. Thorny, dense Hawthorn hedges also provide a
protective haven for Blackbirds and Finches to nest in.

The ground plants beneath this hedge include Lesser
Celandine, Chickweed, Stinging nettle, Cleavers, mosses, Spear Thistle,
Dandelion, Creeping Buttercup and Bramble. The Hawthorn and Privet mix carries
on round the corner, up Greendykes Road, round the Thistle, but it is trimmed
back, to look neat and tidy.